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69
CHAPTER VII.
ADMINISTRATION, STAFF, SUMMARY.
1. The tremendous spate of social legislation which became
operative in the year has changed the scope of local government
more perhaps than in any period of the past. The Health Department
was affected more in this re-arrangement than other departments
of the Council.
The National Health Service Act of 1946, the National Assistance
Act of 1948, and the Children Act of 1948, removed from the
Council of the Borough and its Health Department very many
duties which had been so thoroughly performed in the past. Most
of the functions became the responsibility of the Middlesex County
Council, the new Local Health Authority on the 5th July, and
indeed all the property and all the staff relating to certain parts
of the health service were on this day transferred to the County
Council.
So far as possible the preceding report has recorded the work
performed by the department during twelve difficult months and
it may well be the final year in which the Annual Report of the
Medical Officer of Health takes its present form.
2. The Area Health Administration proposed by the County
Council combined the County Districts of Wembley and Willesden
to form Area No. 6 and whilst there has been little time to assess
the advantages which might accrue from the alteration one can at
least say that the services available to the public have been maintained
at a level which, in all the circumstances, must reflect credit
on all workers in this field of social endeavour.
3. During the year, and from many causes, staff, particularly
professional staff, have been very difficult to obtain, and one
hopes the inducements to enter the health services of local
authorities will become more stabilised and sufficiently attractive
to enlist the finest quality of personnel.
4. Finally, I should be failing in my duty if I did not express
my most sincere thanks to all members of the department who
have worked unremittingly to ensure smooth and effective operation
during the period of transfer and for their constant application
and loyalty during a very anxious time.
I have the honour to be, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
E. GRUNDY,
Medical Officer of Health.